Rosecrans football standout is Cleveland bound

Ohio's Division VII Defensive Player of the Year also excelled in classroom

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Travis Johnston tackles Claymont's Hunter Hershberger during the third quarter of a game at John D. Sulsberger Memorial Stadium. Johnston, the Division VII Defensive Player of the Year, will play at Case Western Reserve this fall.(Photo: Times Recorder file photo)Buy Photo

Johnston said his choice largely came down to the financial aid package Case Western offered, but he admitted there were no bad choices in the bunch. The campus is located in Cleveland.

"No matter where you're going you're going to get a good education," Johnston said. "Ever since I went up there my sophomore year and visited I loved the campus. It's small and compact, and coming from Rosecrans it was more of what I know than a larger campus."

His father and head coach, Mark Johnston, said he "couldn't be more proud" of his son's choices and that it was typical of him to ensure he attained the best education possible.

"He understands that high school athletics helped shape him and that he is fortunate to be able to play football at the next level," Johnston said. "It doesn't happen for many kids. Once they play that last Friday night game, it's over."

A running back, he had more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and 28 total TDs as a senior. He was even better at linebacker, recording 104 solo tackles with seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He also averaged 39 yards on punts and returned kickoffs, essentially never leaving the field.

He and classmate Aaron Gehlken, a second-team All-Ohio pick at receiver, accounted 2,931 all-purpose yards and scored 43 of the team's 56 touchdowns. They also had seven interceptions.

“Everyone asks me about 2017, and they say, 'Well you really only lost a couple of seniors,'" Mark Johnston said. "True, but losing Travis will be like losing three to four kids, especially on game nights. He did everything a player could do for a football team when the lights came on.”

Johnston, 5-10, 195 pounds, said Case Western views him as one of its top linebacker recruits. He is unsure of a major but said is learning toward a financial field.

"They run a 3-4, and they're looking at me as one of the two inside linebackers because their outside guys are more like bigger defensive ends," Johnston said. "They think it will be a really good fit. All of their guys are 200-215 (pounds) and that's what I plan on being up to this fall."

Travis Johnston and Gehlken also played in three straight district basketball tournaments and spent four years each on the baseball teams. They left as two of the best all-around athletes in school history.

"That class was really special," Rosecrans coach Todd Rock said. "We put them out there as freshmen and saw them develop, and by the time they were done they became great leaders."